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PTA has formally opened MVNO licence applications, allowing new brands to offer mobile services without building network infrastructure, at a $140,000 upfront fee.
Pakistan’s telecommunications sector is about to get a lot more competitive. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) formally opened applications for Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) licences on June 24, 2026, following the Federal Cabinet’s approval of the MVNO Policy Framework.
The move allows companies to launch fully branded mobile services without owning a single tower, spectrum band, or network infrastructure asset.
The newly approved framework replaces Pakistan’s previous MVNO guidelines introduced in 2006, representing the country’s most comprehensive effort to build a sustainable virtual operator ecosystem.
Under the new regime, MVNOs purchase network capacity from existing licensed Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and operate independently, managing their own branding, customer care, billing systems, and service packages.
The financial terms are now clearly defined. PTA has set an upfront licence fee of $140,000 for a nationwide MVNO licence, with licences granted for a period of 15 years, subject to compliance with PTA regulations.
Annual obligations include a licence fee of 0.5 percent of gross revenue, a Universal Service Fund contribution of 1.5 percent, and applicable research and development charges.
The consumer protections built into the framework are equally notable. Host network operators will not be allowed to suspend or degrade services provided to MVNOs without prior PTA approval, and MVNOs will be prohibited from discontinuing services without advance notice and regulatory consent.
The framework also includes mobile number portability provisions, allowing subscribers to retain their numbers when switching providers.
Industry stakeholders believe the framework could attract fintech firms, internet service providers, cable operators, digital service companies and technology firms seeking to enter the mobile market with lower capital requirements than conventional telecom operators.
Analysts have pointed to underserved segments including youth, enterprises, overseas Pakistanis, and digital content users as prime targets for specialised MVNO offerings.
The PTA maintained that MVNO entry is also expected to attract investment, create jobs, and advance the national Digital Pakistan vision by making mobile services more accessible and inclusive.
MVNOs are widely used in international telecom markets, allowing companies to launch mobile services using the network capacity of established operators while maintaining independent branding, customer support, billing systems, and service packages.
Pakistan has long been an outlier in this regard, with mobile services dominated by a small number of infrastructure-owning giants. That era may now be drawing to a close.
Detailed eligibility criteria, application procedures, and licensing obligations are available in the MVNO licence template published on the PTA’s official website.
